Director of Bands
Coordinator of Wind and Percussion Studies

Professor of Music

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Education

• Ph.D., Florida State University (Conducting & Music Education)
• M.A.E., Truman State University (Music Education)
• M.A., Truman State University (Conducting)
• B.A., Truman State University (Music Education & Music Theory)

Teaching Specialties

• Wind Band Performances
• Conducting (Graduate and Undergraduate levels)
• Instrumental Music Education
• Wind Band History and Repertoire

Research Interests

• Instrumental Music Performance
• Instrumental Music Education
• Conducting
• Aesthetic Distance
• Wind Band Repertoire

Affiliations

• College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA)
• National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
• National Band Association (NBA)
• World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE)
• Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association (ASBOA)
• Arkansas Music Educators Association (AMEA)

Curriculum Vitae

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Biography

Dr. Tim Oliver is the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Wind and Percussion Studies at Arkansas State University. A strong proponent of both music performance and music education, Dr. Oliver conducts the A-State Wind Ensemble, leads the master’s level wind conducting program, teaches courses in graduate and undergraduate conducting and music education, and administers a comprehensive university band program. A native of Centralia, Mo., Dr. Oliver is a graduate of Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. and Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. Prior to his appointment at A-State, Dr. Oliver was a faculty member at the University of Kansas and Temple University. He also previously served as both a high school and junior high school band director in Missouri and Florida.

Dr. Oliver is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. His ensembles at A-State have been recognized for their balanced approach in presenting both established and new repertoire. Since his appointment to A-State in 2007, Dr. Oliver has premiered or commissioned, either individually or through consortia, nearly 50 new works for wind ensembles and chamber winds. Performances by the A-State Bands have received favorable attention both regionally and nationally. The A-State Wind Ensemble accepted invitations through juried selections to perform at the 2010, 2014, and 2020 Southwestern College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Conferences. Composers including David Maslanka, Andrea Reinkemeyer, John Mackey, Carter Pann, Frank Ticheli, Michael Markowski, David Sampson, James David, and Jonathan Bartz have praised Dr. Oliver’s interpretation of their music.

Dr. Oliver is also an active researcher with projects focusing on music performance and music education with specializations in conducting, wind band repertoire, and aesthetic distance. He has been invited to present at numerous professional venues including the Midwest Clinic, National, Southwestern, and Eastern Division CBDNA Conferences, multiple state music education association conferences, and university residencies. Publications featuring his research include the Journal of Band Research, National Band Association Journal, WASBE Newsletter, and The Instrumentalist. In 2013, Dr. Oliver received the Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year from A-State for his work in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Dr. Oliver enjoys a variety of activities outside of music including cooking, vigorously cheering the Kansas City Chiefs for 30+ years, reading and completing home improvement projects as well as spending time with his wife Rebecca – the Director of the A-State Honors College – and children Benjamin and Gwendolyn.